Who’s News in Special Events for May 28, 2020

Las Vegas-based GES, the global experiential marketing company, has announced that GES executive vice president of industry development John “Jack” Patronski will retire from the company effective June 30. “Jack’s distinguished career in the exhibition and events industry extends beyond his 25 years with GES. His dedication to GES and the industry includes working tirelessly with clients, industry groups, labor unions and venues to help drive service and operation improvements,” said GES executive vice president of exhibitions Jeff Quade.

The Live Events Coalition announced this week that it is aligning with events industry titan Meetings Mean Business on advocacy efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating effect on the meetings and events industry. A subsidiary of the U.S. Travel Association, MMB is an industry-wide coalition comprising more than 60 members including major hotel chains, event organizations, and convention and visitors bureaus created to showcase the value that business meetings, trade shows, incentive travel, exhibitions, conferences and conventions bring to people, businesses and communities. “One unified voice from the industry is more important now more than ever,” said Trina Camacho-London, vice president of global group sales, Hyatt Hotels Corp. and MMB co-chair. “We are thrilled to have the Live Events Coalition on board to help elevate MMB’s important work on behalf of the meetings and events industry.” The Live Events Coalition, comprising nearly 60 event industry leaders from across the U.S., was established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing its outreach and support to the millions of Americans who directly rely on the meetings and events industry for their livelihood, such as small business owners, independent contractors, freelance and gig workers. As a grassroots organization, their petition on Change.org has received nearly half a million signatures and garnered more than 18,000 chapter members nationwide since March.

The Los Angeles Convention Center, owned by the City of Los Angeles and managed by ASM Global, has announced its commitment to receive the Global Biorisk Advisory Council STAR accreditation on outbreak prevention, response and recovery. The GBAC STAR provides third-party validation to ensure the implementation of rigorous protocols in response to bio-risk situations.

The new Virtual Event Co., based in London, offers immersive virtual events including webinars, festivals, award ceremonies, conferences and other events. The company is part of Origination Global.

Back in business: The Miami warehouse of Atomic Design is open; the warehouses in Los Angeles and Lititz, Pa., are preparing to open on June 5. Mega party rental company Party Rental Ltd., headquartered in Teterboro, N.J, is reopening its warehouses and delivery operations on June 1. Hire Elegance of San Diego is opening its offices on June 1. Caesars Entertainment Corp. announced today it will resume gaming and hospitality operations in Las Vegas at its Caesars Palace and Flamingo Las Vegas properties on June 4. Additionally, the company said it expects that several retail and dining outlets along the LINQ Promenade, as well as the High Roller Observation Wheel, will reopen.

Cannonball Productions CEO Kate Levenstien has launched the Coalition of Live Event Organizers (CLEO), a new community with a goal of connecting producers to discuss and collaborate on the future of events. CLEO's projects include looking at collaborating on event dates, constructing viable layouts, and setting new guidelines and protocols for on-site experience, such as taking temperatures upon entrance, hosting non-hygienic activations, etc.

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